If you're like most people, you probably love the idea of getting paid to do something you enjoy. And what could be easier than making money while you walk?
That's the promise of Sweatcoin. Sweatcoin is an app that rewards users for the number of steps they take each day.
Not only will you be improving your health, but you can also enjoy perks and bonuses in exchange for your steps.
Sounds great so far, right? But if this is something you've not tried before, you may be wondering if Sweatcoin is actually legitimate. Is it just another scam? How does Sweatcoin work?
In this article, we'll take a close look at how Sweatcoin works and give you our honest opinion on whether or not it's worth your time. We'll also answer some of the commonly asked questions about Sweatcoin to help you decide if it's the right choice.
After all, you don't want to waste your time and not make money because you're doing the wrong thing.
So read on to learn more about this exciting new way to make money… just by walking!
What is Sweatcoin?
Sweatcoin is a fitness app that pays you to walk. The app uses your phone’s GPS to track your steps and then pays you in sweatcoins (SWC), a quasi-cryptocurrency that can be redeemed for various rewards or discounts.
Sweatcoin was launched in 2015 and now has over 64 million users. Sweatcoin’s advantage over its competitors is its availability in many different countries outside of the United States.
Sweatcoin is free to use. You can start using it if it’s available in your country. You can also get the paid premium plan for additional perks.
Is Sweatcoin a scam?
Sweatcoin is a legitimate app that millions of people worldwide are using. It’s not a scam. We found that it has partnered with reputable institutions like the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. Sweatcoin has also been featured in publications like Forbes and Men's Health.
However, some people may feel that Sweatcoin is a scam because it takes them so many steps to earn enough Sweatcoins to get anything of value. People who expect to get rewards quickly become disappointed and complain.
How does Sweatcoin work?
Sweatcoin is very straightforward to use. All you need to do is download the app and start walking. The app will automatically track your steps as long as your phone is with you during your walks.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can get started on Sweatcoin:
Step 1: Download the Sweatcoin App
The first thing you need to do is download the Sweatcoin app on your phone. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices.
Once you’ve downloaded the app, open it up and create an account. You'll need to provide your email address, create a username and password, and agree to the terms and conditions.
You can choose between two membership plans:
- Free Plan – No fee to sign-up and use the app. The app limits you to earn up to 10 SWC per day or 10,000 steps.
- Premium Plan – The premium membership costs around $24.99 per year if you pay yearly or $4.99 if you pay monthly. The fee will vary depending on your country of residence.
With a Premium Plan, you can earn 2x Sweatcoins for the same number of steps. This means you can get 20 Sweatcoins for 10,000 steps.
A Premium Plan also allows you to earn up to 100 Sweatcoins per day or 52,000 steps. You also get extra perks like access to more marketplace products.
Step 2: Start walking
Once you’ve created your account, you can start walking and earning Sweatcoins.
You'll earn 0.95 Sweatcoin or approximately 1 Sweatcoin for every 1,000 steps you take. So, if you walk 10,000 steps in a day, you'll make around 10 Sweatcoins.
Step 3: Redeem your rewards
Once you have enough Sweatcoins, you can redeem them for various rewards, which vary depending on where you live.
Some popular rewards include discounts and gift cards from popular brand partners like Apple, Tidal, Audible, and Headspace.
Does Sweatcoin work on a treadmill?
Yes, Sweatcoin now works on a treadmill. Previously, Sweatcoin only credits outdoor steps. Recently, however, they have added the ability to credit your steps even when you're on a treadmill.
This is good news for people who live in cold climates and can't walk outdoors all year round. You can now still earn Sweatcoins even when it's too cold to walk outside.
How much money can you make with Sweatcoin?
Is Sweatcoin worth anything? Can you actually get rewards in exchange for the steps you're taking every single day?
The answer is yes. You can be eligible for Sweatcoin rewards as long as you're willing to put in the time and effort to walk.
The amount of money you can make with Sweatcoin depends on how active you are. The more steps you take, the more Sweatcoins you'll earn, and the greater variety of rewards you'll be able to redeem.
So how much is a Sweatcoin worth? How many steps do you need to take to get rewards? And just how many Sweatcoins is $1?
In terms of US Dollar equivalent, 100 Sweatcoins are equivalent to around 80 cents to 1 US Dollar. Take note, however, that the US Dollar or local currency value equivalent of Sweatcoin may vary depending on the product you choose in the marketplace or country you're in.
So if you want to know how many steps do you need to take to earn $5, then here’s a rough estimate:
- $1 = 100 Sweatcoins = 100,000 steps
- $5 = 500 Sweatcoins = 500,000 steps
- $10 = 1,000 Sweatcoins = 1,000,000 steps
If you're in a free plan, there’s a cap or limit of 10,000 steps per day. This means that to earn $1, you need to reach your target of 10,000 steps for 10 days.
If you're walking 10,000 steps every day for an entire month, then the maximum Sweatcoins you can earn is 300 Sweatcoins. This is equivalent to around $3 per month.
We think that doesn’t look like much, but if you’re walking anyway, it’s still nice to have something in return.
How do you get paid on Sweatcoin?
You can exchange your Sweatcoins for various Sweatcoin rewards, discounts, or gift cards.
Some of the more popular rewards in the United States include discounts on Amazon, Walmart, Nike, and Starbucks gift cards.
Other countries will have different rewards available. To see what rewards are available in your area, simply open the Sweatcoin app and go to the “Marketplace” tab. From there, you can browse through the various rewards and discounts available.
Can you cash out your Sweatcoin to PayPal?
No, you cannot cash out the Sweatcoins that you've earned to PayPal. At the moment, there’s no direct way to convert your Sweatcoins to cash via the app.
However, this doesn't mean that the Sweatcoins you've earned are completely worthless. As mentioned in the earlier section, you can use your Sweatcoins to redeem various rewards on the marketplace.
Depending on the number of Sweatcoins you have, you may also have the option to exchange them for gift cards which you can then use to make purchases online or in-store.
How does Sweatcoin make money?
Sweatcoin makes money by partnering with brands and companies who want to reach their target market through this app. They will pay Sweatcoin to be featured in the Sweatcoin marketplace.
Another way Sweatcoin makes money is through in-app advertising. This is how most free apps make money so that they can offer their service for free to users.
Sweatcoin pros and cons: Sweatcoin Reviews and Complaints
Sweatcoin may seem too good to be true. That's why you're probably wondering, what's the catch with Sweatcoin?
We've checked out various reviews and complaints in Sweatcoin Reddit threads, Quora, and other review sites to come up with a list of pros and cons.
| Pros | Cons |
| A cool way to earn rewards for walking, which is already a part of your routine.Pretty straightforward to use as it automatically tracks your steps via GPS.Free to use. | It takes a lot of steps to earn $1.No option to directly convert Sweatcoins for cash.Some of the rewards available on the marketplace are overpriced. |
Is paying for Sweatcoin worth it?
You might be considering an upgrade to a paid Sweatcoin plan. After all, the free plan only allows you to earn a maximum of 10,000 steps per day (10 Sweatcoins per day) or $3 a month if you reach the daily limit.
If you pay for a Premium Plan, you can have the opportunity to double for the same number of steps and increase the limit to earn up to 100 Sweatcoins a day. This is around $1 a day for 52,000 steps.
So is it worth upgrading to Premium? Before you do that, consider the following conditions:
- Do you walk more than 10,000 steps per day?
A Premium Plan will only be beneficial if you consistently walk more than 10,000 steps per day. If not, better to stick to the free plan.
- Will you earn more than you'll spend?
Check your average number of steps per month. If you convert to Premium, will you earn more than you’ll spend for the subscription fee?
Note that it will take approximately 50,000 to 52,000 steps to earn $1 in the Premium Plan. If you're on a $24.99 yearly plan, you’re paying around $2 per month. You'll need to complete 100,000 steps before you can start earning a profit.
- Can you get the same rewards with free plans?
Check the Sweatcoin marketplace to see if the same rewards are available for free plans. In some cases, you may get the same or similar rewards without upgrading to a paid plan.
How to maximize Sweatcoin
If you want to make the most out of this app, here are some Sweatcoin hacks to get more steps in a day.
Set a Regular Walking Routine
The best way to rack up steps is by setting a regular walking routine. This can be as simple as taking a 20-minute walk after meals or going for a half-hour walk in the morning and evening.
Walk Instead of Ordering In
If you're planning to order in or call for take-out, go to the restaurant instead. You can also walk outside the restaurant while waiting for your food.
Park Further Away
When you're running errands or going to work, park your car at the farthest spot in the parking lot. This will force you to walk more steps to get to your destination. If you take public transportation, get off one or two stops early and walk the rest of the way.
Sweatcoin Alternatives
There are other apps that pay you to walk. Here are some of the best Sweatcoin alternatives:
Winwalk
This is very similar to Swetacoin but the difference is that there is no GPS tracking. You earn one coin for every 100 steps. To get a $10 gift card from major retailers, you need around 16,000 coins.
Evidation
This app lets you earn points for completing health-related activities, such as tracking steps, eating healthy foods, meditating, and working out regularly. These points can be redeemed for cash via PayPal, gift cards, or charitable donations. You can earn up to 100 points a day and 10,000 points are equivalent to approximately $10.
FitForBucks
With this app, any activity counts. You can earn points for walking, grocery shopping, hiking, and more! Your steps can be redeemed for rewards. Sample rewards include 20,000 steps for a cup of organic coffee or a $20 discount for fitness classes.
GigWalk
With GigWalk, you need to complete simple tasks to earn money. These can be tasks like taking pictures of products in a store or checking the prices of items. You'll be notified of available tasks via the app.
This is a good alternative if your main motivation is to earn extra, as each gig can earn you $3 to $100. With one gig worth $3, you can earn the equivalent of what you can earn with Sweatcoin for an entire month without walking 10,000 steps a day.
Final verdict: Is Sweatcoin worth it?
Sweatcoin is a great app if you're already an active person. It's a legit way to get an extra bonus for something that you're already doing for free.
If you're not active, the app may not be for you as you’ll need to walk A LOT to make any significant amount of money.
If your main goal is to earn some extra cash, other apps like GigWalk can help you do that without having to walk 10,000 steps a day.
However, if you're looking for an app that will help you get fit and healthy, Sweatcoin is an excellent option as it encourages you to walk more steps each day.
Plus, it's a fun and easy way to get rewarded for doing something good for your health!
Aidan has been writing about personal finance for over 6 years. Prior to this, he worked as a Corporate Finance Analyst where he specialized in Due Diligence, Company Valuations and more. He is a CFA charterholder.
